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"Only that Tomas didn't want his work shown," he murmured.
"Yes, that's true, but Tomas died fifty years ago, and the exhibition was for local artists, and I thought he should be recognized for his talent.It felt wrong to exclude him.He was such a force in the art scene in the sixties.He owned a gallery.He gave art classes.And he was an incredible artist."
His grandmother was rambling."Okay, so you put one of his paintings in the exhibition, and…"
"It was stolen, Nick.So was Gloria's family painting.There are so many more priceless paintings and artifacts in the museum, but the thieves stole three paintings from only that exhibition, all by local and unknown artists.That's all they wanted."
Now he was more confused."That doesn't make sense."
"It doesn't," she agreed."I thought Tomas was just a perfectionist, and that's why he didn't want to show his work, but now I'm wondering if there was another reason the painting was hidden away all these years."
"Like what?"
"I don't know, but the thieves mentioned our last name when they were leaving.I distinctly heard them say Caruso.They came for that painting, Nick.And now it's gone.Enrique is fighting for his life, and if he dies, it will be my fault."
"There were other paintings taken," he said, hating the heavy guilt in her voice."You just said Gloria's family painting was stolen, too, so it wasn't just the one belonging to Tomas.This isn't all on you."He paused, thinking about what else she'd said."Where were you that you were close enough to hear the thieves talking?"
"We were trying to get away, but we had to hide behind a statue, and two men came right down the hall next to us.I was so scared.I let out a gasp when one said my name.I think they heard me, but there was another man at the other end of the hall, and he yelled that they had to go."
"Damn," he muttered.
"And there's more, Nick.Gloria said she heard one of them say, 'He'll be happy.He's been waiting a long time.'I don't know who they were talking about, but it sounded like someone wanted those three specific paintings."
"It sounds like it."He felt sick at the thought of his grandmother being in danger."Are you and Gloria at the house?"Gloria had moved in with his grandmother after his grandfather died, which he was very happy about now.
"Yes.We just got back.The state police interviewed us and then the Carabinieri T.P.C., who handle art crimes.They don't believe we are in danger, because no one saw us."
"What exactly did you see?"
"Two men.But I only saw them from the back.They were wearing all black and had hoods over their heads and gloves on their hands.I couldn't see jewelry or hair color or anything.One of them was carrying a painting, and the other had one of those big guns."
His stomach churned.His grandmother could have been killed.And she'd mentioned that the thieves might have heard her gasp, which was disturbing.It might not be that difficult for the robbery crew to figure out who was in the building, and that could put her and Gloria in danger.He had a lot of questions about the break-in, the security, and the alarm system, but he didn't want to add to his grandmother's distress.
"Maybe you should go next door and stay with Giovanni," he suggested, referring to his grandmother's longtime neighbor.
"It's after one in the morning.I don't want to wake him up.We'll be all right.Won't we, Nick?"
Her concerned question tore at his heart."You should be.But I'm coming to Rome, Nonna.I'll get on the first flight I can find."
"Are you sure?What about your job?"
"I just wrapped up an investigation.I can get away for a few days."
"It would be nice if you were here.I'm not sure what to do next.But I have to get that painting back."
"The only thing you have to do is stay in the house and keep the doors locked.Don't go anywhere until I get there.I know you're in for the night, but I'm talking about tomorrow, too."
"I understand."
"I'll text you when I know what time I'll be getting in."
"You're a good grandson.Ti voglio bene."
"I love you, too, Nonna."She was the only person he'd ever said those words to and meant them.She was the only family he'd ever been able to count on, and he was going to make damn sure she was all right.
Eighteen hours later, around four o'clock on Thursday afternoon, Italy time, Nick raised his window shade as the plane made its final descent into Rome.He'd slept a few hours, but he'd spent the rest of the time feeling impatient and wishing for the flight to be over as a million questions ran through his head.He'd tried to do some research on the plane, not remembering a lot about his great-grandfather Tomas, but he'd found little information about him beyond the basics.He'd been an artist, a teacher, and the owner of an art supply store, until he'd died at sixty.
He didn't really care about getting Tomas's painting back.He just wanted to make sure his grandmother was safe from whatever was going on.There might be other paintings she had taken out of the vault or other items belonging to his grandfather, and he needed to know where they were and how important they might be.He wished he'd asked more about the other two paintings that had been stolen, but there would be time to go through all that.First, he just had to get there.
